What can one say about the work of Christina Rosetti? Perhaps that her religious poems are even better than her "Goblin Market"? That "Market" is a muWhat can one say about the work of Christina Rosetti? Perhaps that her religious poems are even better than her "Goblin Market"? That "Market" is a must read? That she deserves all the attention that she gets?

One of the questions that people ask is why do we still read old books? What's so great about them anyway? My brother asked me this after I was shockeOne of the questions that people ask is why do we still read old books? What's so great about them anyway? My brother asked me this after I was shocked that he hadn't read Canterbury Tales. I undoubtably get the same shocked expression when I hear someone hasn't read over a dozen other things.

So why should we read Canterbury Tales? Well, I suppose the technical answer would be because each tale represents a style or type of writing. The collection is different forms that were popular in the day, making it some type of historical document (at least, according to my local bookstores if their shelving is anything to go by).

Okay, I hear the no name complainer say, that's good for you English people, but I only take English because they make me. Why should I read it?

Because it is the funniest thing in the whole world! You have farting! You think The BFG started it? You're wrong! Chaucer used the funny fart long before. It has sex! There's lots of sex! Everything is having sex! Okay, not everything, but even the chickens. There's chickens! There's marriage! There's love! There's fighting! There's the Wife of Bath! She is awesome. Who doesn't like the Wife? Even Shrek! knows the Wife of Bath. There's the second flood (maybe)! There's a knight, who to believe Terry Jones, isn't as honorable as he thinks he is. See, there is a Monty python connection! There's May/December romance!

Canterbury Tales is one of those works of literature that is going to last simply because it is about the truth. True, you have very dated tales, such as the Nun, but there are also tales that are still current today, that would make good television even. Chaucer, like Shakespeare and Dickens, speaks to the human condition. He shows use that such speaking isn't a late idea, but started well before we think it did.

I also think people should read it aloud so we can all sound like the Swedish Chef....more